Known for: his tireless, nearly two-decades-long fight to clean up Tai Lake, the third largest body of water in China. His relentless efforts to investigate, document, and publicize pollution acts of nearby factories and other factors causing the degradation of the lake has lost him his job, sullied his name, and caused him time behind bars.

The New York Times laid out the whole incredibly story of this brave eco-warrier over the weekend. Read the piece here.